The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-03-27
TIKI JAPANESE WOMEN
ASSUMING The DRESS OF THEIR
EUROPEAN SISTERS
By Order Of the Empress, Who Has
Overcome All Her Scruples
OF Delicacy.


no opportunity Of springing surprises
upon the outside world. Most of
these have proved to BE- naturally
and properly connected with def
mite system of development, however
contrary to the national traditions
they haze originally appeared. The
adoption OF the Gregorian calendar,
for example, could have been under
taken only by government thor
oughly confident in its own strength
and well assured OF the docility of its
subjects. 1t was as unwelcOme to the
mass Of the people as any possible
change could be, but it afforded a
striking evidence Of determination to
bring the country into more direct
accord with European and Amer,
can ideas. The order requiring all
government officials to wear foreign
clothes seemed at first arbitrary
and trivial; but the enforcement
relieved the japanese diplOmatists
from much of the impertiuent curl
osity to which they had been subject
ed, and greatly simplifed the condi-
tions ftheir intercourse with straDg-
ers. Each year witnessed innovations,
political as we'll as social, announce.
ment of which has excited general
establishment, not to say anxiety. In
almost every instance, however, the
measures have resulted satisfactorily,
and the apparently rash experiments
have turned to be short cuts in the
direction Of practical and substantial
reform. There are occasions, never
theless, when it seems impossible to
reconcile the governments proceed
ings with any rule of discretion or
sound judgment. Ancient usages
are assailed and overthrow, not un
der stress OF necessity, not from con
sideration for the popular welfare,
but, SO far as can be discovered, from
some motive scarcely compatible
with the country's true interests. A
movement of peculiarly radical
sweep, to which no person can at
tribute a sufficient cause, is ut this
moment agitating the entire body OF
Japanese society, throwing one sex
into excitement and bewilderment
and spreading dismay through the
ranks of the other, The Empress has
emerged from her conventional
seclusion and, in document
which certainly, has no pre-
cedent in Oriental history, has
signi6ed her will that the women of
the Empire shall put aside their Gus
tomary dress-the dress OF their an.
cestors from time immemorial-and
adopt that of the remote West. That
japanese Empress should address
her subjects on any topic is mar
yelous enough. That the national
costume should be her topic is more
marvellous, and that she should
recommend this remarkable sub
stitution IL most marvellous of all.
In fact, however, Her Majesty is in
no direct sense responsible for the
transaction. 1t is purely an affair OF
Safe, which has occupied the at
tention of that supreme circle of
councillors known as the Dai 10
Kuwan for ut least five years. Ever
since 1852 this austere assemblage
has been industriously and ardently
studying the question Of dress re.
form. The libraries of the Senate and
House have been loaded with fashion
prints and periodicals from Paris,
and the ante chambers filed with
mysterious structures Of wire aud
Whalebone, the aspect of which
might have awakened unfair suspi-
cions that q return to the barbaritics
of punishment by torture was con.
templated. Whatever may be the
underlying purpose OF the i'm
pending change, it will moi
have been instituted without ample
deliberation. The extent to which
the Investigations have been carried
and the methods employed, woulC
form an amusing chapter of Easter
court records, if the details could b.
unreservedly revealed. Whether tn
august gentlemen who govern Japal
held it beneath their dignity to ap
pear as the originators of the project
or whether they doubted their owl
authority in so delicate a matter
must be left to conjecture, Haviu
decided what was to be done, the
took the discreet if not altogethe
valorous course OF communicating
their intention through the mouth O
the Empress, whose person is dear t
all in Japan, and whose words woul
be sure in almost any case to com
mand respectful obedience. he
proclamation was issued at the begin
ming of this year, and before tn
holiday festivities were over tn
ladies of the capital were rivalin
each other in the most extravagan
efforts to conform to its admonitioni
The results of their struggles are nc
yet apparent, but it goes withou
saying that they will make
dreadful mess of everything; an
when the newly ordained iashio
extends all over the Ian
the consequences will be dil
tressing. Nothing could be MOI
dainty, graceful and becoming thS
the familiar garb of the women
Japan. If not in all particulars
model of convenience aud comfort,
is in those respects far superior
the style by which it is to be II
placed. The freedom aud ease whic
its wearers have enjoyed must no
be exchanged for a constraint
which they cannot become accu
toned for generations. They wi
not only suffer in the flesh then
selves, but will be cause of suheriu
in the spirit to others, for they wi
be hideous to behold. The idea Of a,
commodating their frames to the il
coming modes cannot be grasped
them. With many advantages
form, especially in the upper part
the body, they have certain defec
which will be cruelty aggravated
the uncongenial attire. Not one
a thousand will know how to wal
for the peculiar gait which has be,
established and confirmed by ce
turtles of habit will cling to them
long as they live. Undoubtedl
there may be exceptions; but eve
one conversant with the subje
Lrowa bow rare they must he nj